Join us in person or live-streamed at 10AM or find our recorded service at your convenience. Details on our Worship page. Service words are below.
Prelude His Eye is On the Sparrow (Rachel)
Acknowledgement
Welcome
Gathering Hymn: 444 CP Your Hand, O God, Has Guided
Your hand, O God, has guided your flock from age to age;
the wondrous tale is written, full clear, on every page.
Our forebears owned our goodness and we their deeds record,
and both of this bear witness: one church, one faith, one Lord.
Your heralds brought glad tidings to greatest as to least;
they bade them rise, and hasten to share the royal feast;
and this was all their teaching, in every deed and word,
to all alike proclaiming one church, one faith, one Lord.
When shadows, thickly falling, engulfed the world in night,
you summoned forth your servants, your messengers of light.
On them and on your people your plenteous grace was poured,
and this was still their message: one church, one faith, one Lord.
And we, shall we be faithless, shall hearts fail, hands hang down?
Shall we evade the struggle and cast away the crown?
Not so; in God’s deep counsels some better gift is stored:
the covenant of promise—one church, one faith, one Lord.
Your mercy will not fail us, nor leave your work undone;
with your right hand to help us, your people shall be one;
and then, by all creation, your name shall be adored,
and this shall be their anthem: one church, one faith, one Lord.
Gathering Sentences
This is the place of gathering
We gather to celebrate God’s love
This is the place of praise bringing
We praise God for gifts wonderful and gracious
This is the place of listening
We listen for God’s life-giving Word to inspire and lead us.
This is the place for building faith community
Joined in community, we can work for God’s justice and bring God’s peace.
Prayer of the day:
The good shepherd brings us together.
With joy, we join in community to worship and serve
As the Shepherd has known rejection, yet you our God care for us.
When the storm rages, in the midst of the struggle, we will be secure
As the shepherd has known adversity, yet you our God lead us
In a maze of tough choices, through the darkest night, our Guide will show us the Way.
The Shepherd has known hatred and abuse, yet you our God, keep on loving
In life, in death, our Beloved will bring us home. Amen
The Gloria 240 Catholic Book Gloria
Chorus Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Chorus
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. Chorus
For you alone are the Holy One, you are alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God, the Father. Amen. Amen. Chorus
Collect of the Day (Prayers for an Inclusive Church (2009))
Eternal God, from whose gentle hands none can snatch us away: give us faith to believe that we are known and loved with a passion strong enough to bring the whole world back to you; through Jesus Christ, who is one with you, the Source of life. Amen.
The Proclamation of the Word
A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles (9.36–43)
Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, “Please come to us without delay.” So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner.
Listen for the leading of the Spirit Thanks be to God
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.
The Lord makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters.
You restore my soul, O Lord, and guide me along right pathways for your name’s sake.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil;
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil, and my cup is running over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
A Reading from the Revelation of John (7.9–17)
After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, singing, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?” I said to him, “Sir, you are the one that knows.” Then he said to me, “These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Listen for the leading of the Spirit Thanks be to God
Gradual Hymn: 383 CP Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun
Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
doth its successive journeys run;
his kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
till moons shall wax and wane no more.
People and realms of every tongue
dwell on his love with sweetest song,
and infant voices shall proclaim
their early blessings on his name.
Blessings abound where’er he reigns;
the prisoners leap to lose their chains;
the weary find eternal rest,
and all who suffer want are blest.
Let every creature rise and bring
peculiar honours to our King,
angels descend with songs again,
and earth repeat the loud Amen.
The Gospel
The Lord be with you And also with you
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. John (10:22-30)
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ
At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered, “I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”
The Gospel of Christ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
Homily
Affirmation of Faith THIS I BELIEVE” by Bruce Prewer Copyright 2002.
I believe I need a shepherd.
Because I am sometimes timid and other times overconfident,
because I often don’t know the best path yet pretend I do,
because I rush into dead ends or lead others into hazardous places,
because my brightest ideas are seamed with darkness,
because the things I crave may not be what is good for me,
I need a shepherd.
I believe in Jesus, the best possible shepherd;
his wisdom leads me to the best opportunities,
his word comforts me when I’m anxious or afraid,
his arm steadies me when I feel weary and heavy-laden,
his wounded body displays the cost of my rescue.
I believe in Jesus, the best possible shepherd.
I believe that I do not find him but he finds me,
that I under his care by virtue of sheer grace,
the love he gives me is to be shared with others,
that he treasures my name and prepares a place for me,
that his fold transfixes earth and heaven.
I trust Jesus, the good shepherd. AMEN.
Litany for Mother’s Day
The Peace
Offertory Hymn: Psalm 23 And I Will Follow
The Lord is my true shepherd; no want nor fear I know;
God leads me by safe paths, and I will follow.
Fresh and green are the pastures where my new home will be;
The waters will be clean and clear: wherever God leads me.
Through the dark and lonely days, when hope seems gone,
God leads me to the place where peace is found.
Yes, the Lord is my true shepherd; no want nor fear I know;
God leads me by safe paths, and I will follow.
A banquet will be ready when I come home to stay;
My family will gather round on that most joyful day.
Goodness will follow me for all of my days.
I’ll live in the house of the Lord; and there I’ll stay.
For the Lord is my true shepherd; no want nor fear I know;
God leads me by safe paths, and I will follow.
Prayer over the gifts: (Prayers to Share)
Graciously you have given to us, O God;
graciously we return your gifts and ask you to bless them.
The gifts of money, may we use wisely;
The gifts of skill and talent, may we use creatively and compassionately;
The gift of time, may we use carefully;
The gift of faith, may we use joyfully.
This we pray in the name of Jesus Christ our saviour. Amen
Eucharistic Prayer 1
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is indeed right that we should praise you,
gracious God, for you created all things.
You formed us in your own image:
male and female you created us.
When we turned away from you in sin,
you did not cease to care for us,
but opened a path of salvation for all people.
You made a covenant with Israel,
and through your servants Abraham and Sarah
gave the promise of a blessing to all nations.
Through Moses you led your people from bondage into freedom;
through the prophets you renewed your promise of salvation.
Therefore, with them, and with all your saints
Who have served you in every age,
we give thanks and raise our voices
to proclaim the glory of your name.
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of power and might Heaven and Earth of your glory are full Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest. Blessed is one who comes in the name of the Lord
Blessed is one who comes in the name of the Lord
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of power and might Heaven and Earth of your glory are full Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest.
Holy God, source of life and goodness,
all creation rightly gives you praise.
In the fullness of time,
you sent your Son Jesus Christ,
to share our human nature,
to live and die as one of us,
to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.
He healed the sick
and ate and drank with outcasts and sinners;
he opened the eyes of the blind
and proclaimed the good news of your kingdom
to the poor and to those in need.
In all things he fulfilled your gracious will.
On the night he freely gave himself to death,
our Lord Jesus Christ took bread,
and when he had given thanks to you,
he broke it, and gave it to his disciples,
and said, “Take, eat: this is my body which is given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.”
After supper he took the cup of wine;
and when he had given thanks,
he gave it to them,
and said, “Drink this, all of you:
this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you and for many
for the forgiveness of sins.
Whenever you drink it,
do this for the remembrance of me.”
Gracious God, his perfect sacrifice
destroys the power of sin and death;
by raising him to life you give us life for evermore.
Therefore we proclaim our hope.
Dying you destroyed our death,
rising you restored our life.
Lord Jesus, come in glory.
Recalling his death,
proclaiming his resurrection,
and looking for his coming again in glory,
we offer you, Father, this bread and this cup.
Send your Holy Spirit upon us
and upon these gifts,
that all who eat and drink at this table
may be one body and one holy people,
a living sacrifice in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory is yours, almighty Father,
now and for ever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
As our Saviour taught us, let us pray
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our sins.
As we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil.
For the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory are yours.
Now and forever. Amen.
Breaking of the Bread
Lord, we died with you on the cross.
Now we are raised to new life.
We were buried in your tomb.
Now we share in your resurrection.
Live in us, that we may live in you.
These are the Gifts of God for the people of God
Thanks be to God
Hymns during Communion:
Psalm 23 Stuart Townend
The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want. He makes me lie in pastures green. He leads me by the still, still waters, His goodness restores my soul.
And I will trust in You, alone. And I will trust in You alone,
for your endless mercy follows me, Your goodness will lead me home. He guides my ways in righteousness, and He anoints my head with oil,
and my cup, it overflows with joy. I feast on his pure delights.
And I will trust in You, alone. And I will trust in You alone,
for your endless mercy follows me, Your goodness will lead me home.
And though I walk the darkest path, I will not fear the evil one,
For You are with me, Your rod and staff are for comfort I need to know.
And I will trust in You, alone. And I will trust in You alone,
for your endless mercy follows me, Your goodness will lead me home.
Sweet the morning
Sweet the morning deep was the dawning the stone was rolled away. Angels spoke to tell them the story the soldiers ran away. And outside the empty tomb, blessed silence filled the air. And their hearts were filled with a joy and love, to feel the Holy there. Chorus Hallelujah, Christ is risen today. There’s a new light shines within. Every heart rejoice, lift up every voice. This is resurrection day. Hallelujah, Christ is risen today. There’s a new light shines within. Every heart rejoice, lift up every voice. Love has found another way Love has found another way.
Tears had fallen, rivers to ocean they took his life away Sorrow sifted deep to the shadows and broke their hearts again Till they heard a voice that called just a whisper on the air, This is Life for all and the Spirit lives, a gift for all to share. Chorus Sweet the morning deep was the dawning the stone was rolled away. Light returning and soaked the morning and washed their tears away Holy One, Creator God, You the Healer of our souls, May You gentle us into faith and hope to Life renewed once more. Chorus
Prayer after Communion together:
All your works praise you, O Lord.
And your faithful servants bless you. Gracious God we thank you for feeding us with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ. May we, who share his body, live his risen life; we, who drink his cup, ring life to others; we, whom the Spirit lights, give light to the world. Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us, so that we and all your children shall be free, and the whole earth live to praise your name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Blessing
Announcements
Closing Hymn: 37 CP We'll Sing in the Morning
We’ll sing in the morning a song of creation,
of your breath that stirs up the waters to birth;
and here at the fount of Christ’s mercy we join you,
co-heirs of heaven and stewards of your gracious earth.
We’ll sing in the noon-time a song of redemption;
how Naaman was cleansed in the flow of your grace;
how, when we were sick, in our sin you released us
to laugh in health and dance in love before your face.
We’ll sing in the evening a song of your pastures,
of rivers that gladden the city of God;
and when we arrive on the bank of our Jordan,
you’ll help us through its cold by fords your saints have trod.
The Dismissal
Follow the Good Shepherd
Into ways of truth and justice.
Listen to the Good Shepherd
For wise words that can be trusted
Believe in the good Shepherd
For a faith that can not be shaken
Be challenged by the Good Shepherd
To change our friends and community with love. Amen Alleluia!
Postlude: We Will Rise (Steve Bell)